Do you know someone who got sick during the holidays?
For some, it might be a sign that it’s time to get an extra dose of protection.
Both Pfizer and Moderna have COVID-19 bivalent boosters available that were designed to target the original strain of COVID, as well as the more contagious omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants. The vaccines are still free for everyone, regardless of whether you have insurance or not.
Who is eligible for a dose? And where can you find a shot in South Florida?
A guide:
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration gave the OK to Pfizer and Moderna’s bivalent COVID vaccines on Aug. 31 and on Dec. 8 amended the emergency use authorization of the bivalent vaccines to include kids as young as 6 months.
So, who can get a shot?
Here’s what the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says:
▪ Everyone 5 and older can get one updated bivalent booster dose if it has been at least 2 months since their last dose.
▪ Kids 6 months to age 4 who completed the Moderna primary series can get one updated bivalent booster if it has been at least 2 months since their last dose. There is no booster recommendation at this time for kids in this age group that completed the 3-dose primary Pfizer vaccine series.
It’s worth noting that people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have different recommendations for vaccination.
TIP: The CDC has an online tool you can use to figure out if you or your child are eligible for a dose. If you have any questions, speak with your doctor.
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If you recently recovered from COVID, you don’t have to get the booster dose right away. The CDC says you can delay your next dose by three months from the time you had COVID.
Yes, you can, according to the CDC.
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You can get the bivalent vaccine at select pharmacies including Publix, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS (including at Navarro Discount Pharmacies), Winn-Dixie and Fresco y Más. Some doctor offices and urgent care centers also offer the shots. And there are still some COVID-19 vaccine sites open in South Florida.
Vaccine sites open in Miami-Dade include Tropical Park in Westchester, Stephen P. Clark Government Center in Miami, Dolphin Mall, Zoo Miami and Miami Dade College North campus. To find a site near you, visit miamidade.gov/vaccine.
In Broward, the county health department is still offering COVID-19 vaccines to people 5 and older at the Broward Library Branch, 751 SW 121 Ave. in Davie in the Children’s Reading Center.
